Cultural democratisation in France: The business of business?
Résumé
At a time when observers of French cultural policy are almost unanimously calling for major reforms of the Ministry of Culture's role and structure as well as a redefinition of its missions, it is worth reflecting on the part that corporate patrons might play if public-private cultural partnerships were truly to be considered. Could businesses, for example, participate in the Ministry's ultimate mission of cultural democratisation? Using examples of companies located in the northern city of Lille, this article looks at the ways some of them have decided, in association with cultural organisations, to offer arts classes to their staff. Although limited in scope, these projects have been relatively successful. However, to what extent could and should such schemes be extended to other companies? A discussion of the material and ethical issues raised by these companies' contribution to cultural democratisation is offered in order to answer this question.